Recently, an idol trainer shared the grim truth behind the K-pop idol industry. He shared that only 10% of the idols that debut in a year actually survive and also revealed what happens if trainees can't debut in time.
A former idol trainer turned Youtuber, In Jin Woong, shared about the dark side of the idol industry, especially about what happens when a trainee is not able to make their debut in time.
In Jin Woong shared with News 1 Entertainment TV about the process by which idols are trained and the downside to these young trainees. He bluntly warned that the process of making an idol is actually turning these trainees to be consumer products.
He began by sharing, "It might be different for various agencies but usually the trainee period is from 7-8 years. After the trainee makes it up to the debut team, it's another 1 to 2 years before they actually debut."
He elaborated, "It's actually a pyramid format. There are many kids who don't even become trainees. When a large agency releases a recruitment announcement, more than 10,000 audition videos are sent in. After beating the competition and becoming a trainee, these kids go through the process of being created into a consumer product. Basically changing their way of thinking."
He shared, "These kids can't even go to the convenience store by themselves until they have certain years of experience. So they even have to tell their managers to go buy them a cup of coffee. They are deprived of their daily freedom. So they are already trained so they become accustomed to that way of life or become overwhelmed with stress."
In Jin Woong continued, "They are told, 'if you want to become a celebrity, that lifestyle is a given.' I feel it's a way to trap people into this well that's called the entertainment industry."
He added, "They enter the agency at the age of 8, 9, or 10 and train for about 7 years and debut at the age around 15 or 16. They are at the age when the set of values in life haven't been established, but these kids only see older girls and boys going on diets, singing, and dancing, and living their life as a celebrity. To them, that's normal. It's hard, but that becomes their norm."
In Jin Woong then talked about the reality of what happens when these trainees don't make it to debut. He explained, "There are a lot of them (trainees who don't make it to debut), and there are a lot of them around me too. There are smart ones who make it (in life). These kids come out and can do other things, but the ones who just went with the flow don't turn out well. A majority of them haven't gone to college, and their life values haven't been instilled properly. Also, a lot of them don't have the basic knowledge/social skills with people because their schedule was set from morning to night for them. They only lived the way they were told. A lot of them who don't make it come to me and ask me, 'what can I do now?'
He shared, "Many of them become despondent and sometimes end up in the seedy redlight district industry. Of course, there are those who make it big in life; they become dance studio teachers. But this system is a pyramid formation, which makes it really hard."
In Jin Woong also revealed that even if a trainee has the skills and visuals, they might not be able to debut if their visuals don't fit the concept. He added, "There are a lot of aspects that come into play. I was talking to one of the idol directors that created a popular idol group, and we were talking about how someone can become an idol. He said, 'you have to be chosen by the heavens.'" He then gave an example, "let's say you are a powerful good dancer and sing perfectly. You have the image like Jennie or N0:ZE, but the company is looking to create a group that is like A Pink. Then your image doesn't fit in that group, so you might not be chosen to debut despite how skillful you are."
He then said, "but it's not like a company releases an idol group every year. You have to wait for the next cycle, another 4-5 years. Then by that time, you are already too old."
He concluded by saying that a lot of young people only see the bright side of the K-pop idol industry and don't realize the harsh truth and the blood, sweat, and tears that go into becoming an idol. He cautioned young aspiring idols to contemplate if they could manage the strenuous lifestyle and stress before dedicating their entire life to becoming a K-pop idol.
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